AbstractsPsychology

This study assessed the visual diversity representations within information brochures targeted for potential freshmen and published by Colorado State University’s (CSU) Office of Admissions. 'The U Book' and 'The Freshman’s Guide' contain introductory information about CSU’s application process and feature a number of photographs of CSU students engaged in various on-campus activities. This mixed methodological study assessed how the photographs in the brochures reflect and highlight CSU’s official mission statement on diversity. This thesis used a simple nominal assessment of photographic representations of diversity to provide the foundation for a thematic and narrative analysis. The examination of the photographic images in these five brochures included an analysis of researcher-ascribed identities and diversity representations through Hall’s (1997) floating signifiers as well as Fairclough’s (1989) Critical Discourse Analysis. Ceccarelli’s (1998) and Condit’s (1989) work on polysemy and polyvalence were also applied to help pull out repetitive and relevant themes regarding diversity representations within the brochures. The nominal results found certain groups overrepresented (e.g., White, Asian, Black, mixed-race), underrepresented (e.g., Hispanic), or not included (e.g., Native American, Hawaiian, physically disabled). The three key themes that were found include the diverse community, the learning environment, and the active lifestyle. Advisors/Committee Members: Aoki, Eric (advisor), Khrebtan-Hoerhager, Julia (committee member), Ahuna-Hamill, Linda (committee member).